Radha Ashtami 2024

Out of all the festivals dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu or any of his Avatars, the festival of Radhashtami is supremely significant. Radhastami or Radha Ashtami marks the appearance day of Radha, aka Radharani, the Queen of Vrindavana. Born in Barasana (Uttar Pradesh, India), She is the divine consort, closest friend and the most beloved devotee surrendered unto the lotus feet of Hari.

The festival falls on Ashtami Tithi during the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month (Sep-Oct). On this day, the devotees, especially those from the Vaishnava sect, observe fast and offer prayers to her along with Shri Krishna. They also engage in many spiritual activities, such as reciting or discussing Krishna Katha, especially the pastimes of Krishna and Gopikas. It is said in the scriptures like Bhagavad Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam) that hearing the pastimes of Srimati Radharani and Krishna on this day surpasses the results or fruits obtained by performing elaborate Vedic Yajnas and Fire sacrifices.

When is Radha Ashtami? Tithi & Muhurat (Date & Time)

Radha Ashtami on Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Madhyahna Time - 11:03 AM to 01:32 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 29 Mins

Ashtami Tithi Begins - 11:11 PM on Sep 10, 2024
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 11:46 PM on Sep 11, 2024

Radhastami Meaning:

The meaning of ‘Radha’ in Sanskrit means ‘prosperity’. In the Puranas, especially Shirmad Bhagavatam, it is mentioned that Radha is the primary, internal pleasure potency of the Shri known as “Hlaadini”. She is the fountainhead of divinity, auspiciousness, opulence, and spirituality.

Shiva Purana and Brahmavaivarta Purana mention Her inseparability from the Lord. She is known as Jagat Janani, the mother of all the universes.

She was born in Barasana, the region which was once ruled by King Vrishabhano (Vrishabhanu). About Five thousand years ago, when Shri Krishna appeared on this planet to perform His pastimes, Srimati Radharani also appeared.

Radha Ashtami Story (Birth of Radha)

On a half-moon night in the month of Bhadra, King Vrishabhanu came to the Jamuna to bathe and found himself engulfed in a golden aura, the golden aura of pure love. It was emanating from a lotus, which had a baby girl standing on its whorl. When the king returned to the palace with the baby, Queen Kirtida was delighted. She was also shocked that the girl was blind. On the other side, Yashoda, the mother of Krishna, found that her best friend Kirtida had a baby. She quickly came to see the girl with the baby Krishna. When the baby Krishna crawled up to the cradle, pulled Himself up, and looked at the baby girl, miraculously, she opened Her eyes to everyone’s delight.

The Krishna Katha (10th Canto or Skanda of Srimad Bhagavatam) mentions that Radha and Krishna are never separate in Vaikuntha, the residential abode of the Shri. When Brahma requested the Bhagwan to descend and rid the earth of demonic kings and evil-minded races that tormented the saintly communities, Bhagwan agreed, but Radha could not see her beloved consort leave. So, she also wished to appear on the earth, blind until she sees Bhagwan first.

Why is Radha Ashtami Celebrated?

Radha Ashtami, also known as Radhashtami or Radha Jayanti, is considered one of the most important and auspicious festivals of the Hindus. The festival is celebrated to honor and commemorate the birth of Radha, the divine consort of Shri Krishna. On this special day, the devotees' worship Radharani with a great deal of enthusiasm and devotion. The day is also a celebration of the selfless and admirable bond of love between Radha and Krishna and their holy union.

How to Celebrate Radha Ashtami?

To celebrate Radha Ashtami, devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and dress in new or clean clothes. Homes and temples are beautifully decorated with flowers, especially lotus flowers, which are dear to Radha. Devotees create an altar with an idol or image of Radha, often alongside Krishna, and offer a variety of sweets, fruits, and dishes as part of the puja. The worship typically includes chanting mantras, singing bhajans, and reciting Radha's stories and glories. Fasting from dawn until noon is common, followed by a feast prepared with love and devotion. In some regions, devotees also perform Raslila, a traditional dance depicting the divine love story of Radha and Krishna. This auspicious day is not just a celebration of Radha's birth but also an opportunity for devotees to seek her blessings and deepen their spiritual connection.

Radha Ashtami Puja Vidhi & Vrat Vidhi (Fast Method)

• Start the day with a positive mind frame
• Purify yourself by taking a bath with water mixed with Gangajal
• Install the Radharani idol in your puja altar and worship the idol at 12 noon
• Take Sankalpa and mention your wish for which you are observing the fast
• Recite the Radha Ashtami Vrat Katha followed by Radha Stuti and Radha Chalisa
• Invoke the deity by singing bhajan and lighting an oil lamp (diya) in the evening
• Perform aarti and offer Bhog to the Goddess
• On the next day, feed Brahmins and married women. Later, break the fast by having prasad.

We at Rudra Centre offer Radha Krishna Puja service by our highly qualified Karma Kandi pandits from Kashi, specially procured by Sakhashree Neeta ji.

Radha Ashtami Mantra:

Chant Ashtakshari Mantra

ओम ह्रीं श्रीराधिकायै नम:।
Om Hreem Shri Radhikaye Namah

Mantra for Shri Krishna and Radha Rani

नमस्त्रैलोक्यजननि प्रसीद करुणार्णवे।
ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिभिर्देवैर्वन्द्यमान पदाम्बुजे।।

Nam-Strae-Lokya-Janani Praseed Karunaanarve|
Brahm-Vishwaadi-Bhirdevaervandyamaan Padaambuje||

How to Observe Radha Ashtami Vrat (Fast)?

Radha Ashtami is one of the most important festivals, which occurs 15 days (about 2 weeks) after Janmashtami festival.

Devotees observe fasting rules, wake up early, participate in rituals like Mangala Aarti, break their fast with sattvik food, and avoid consuming tamsik food, alcohol, and arguments.

Radha Ashtami Importance & Significance:

Performing Radha Krishna Puja on this auspicious day is highly rewarding. Radha and Krishna are the eternally inseparable divine couples that represent the spiritual energies of the universe.

Shri Krishna is complete only when Radha performs her pastimes to give him divine pleasure. Krishna is regarded in the scriptures as Poonam Purushottam Brahma (the better than the best and complete), and Radharani is the Supreme Para Shakti, the soul and life force of Krishna.

Benefits of Radha Ashtami Puja:

• It invokes innumerable advantages for love, peace, and happiness.
• Helps in getting the desired partner.
• Promotes eternal and divine love between a couple.
• Invokes joy and happiness in life.

On this day, if one wears a 10 Mukhi Rudraksha (Ruling deity: Krishna), a 19 Mukhi Rudraksha (Narayana) and a 20 Mukhi Rudraksha (Narayana), it is highly auspicious. It increases one’s devotional strength and causes to detach from unnecessary material objects.

You can wear silver lockets of Radha Krishna . These items worn on the body constantly remind you of Their divinity and divine protection. Also, you can wear Radha Krishna pendants made of silver and gold.

Installing Radha Krishna Idol Offering prayers to the deity idols of this divine couple is as good as meditating on Brahman.